Where is Minister Shah? MP Congress Offers Reward

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Minister Vijay Shah's absence has triggered protests by the Congress party.
- The controversy stems from derogatory remarks made about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.
- Congress is offering a reward for information on Shah's whereabouts.
- A Special Investigation Team has been appointed to look into the matter.
- Political tensions are high as both sides await developments.
Bhopal, May 24 (NationPress) The absence of Madhya Pradesh Minister Vijay Shah from public engagements and official meetings has led the Indore unit of Congress to initiate a symbolic protest. They have put up posters throughout Indore, declaring him missing and offering a reward to anyone who can help locate him.
For the last two weeks, Shah has been embroiled in controversy following his comments regarding Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who spoke to the press during Operation Sindoor, a military operation targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan.
“Our protests will persist until the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) compels him to resign. This is our way of opposing his disappearance after an FIR was filed against him. Such a situation undermines our democratic framework,” stated Vivek Khandelwal, acting president of the District Congress Seva Dal in Indore, in a statement to IANS.
The controversy ignited when Shah reportedly made derogatory remarks about Colonel Qureshi, a distinguished officer in the Indian Army. His statements led to widespread backlash, culminating in legal actions and a Supreme Court-ordered investigation.
During a public event, Shah allegedly referred to her as the sister of terrorists, alluding to the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. Since an FIR was lodged against him on May 15 at the Manpura police station in Indore Rural, he has been out of the public eye, missing crucial government meetings, including a recent cabinet session.
Congress officials, including Khandelwal, have criticized the BJP-led state government for its inaction regarding Shah. They assert that his absence reflects a failure on the part of the state's home department and intelligence agencies.
Despite demands from opposition members and even some within the ruling party for his resignation, the government has yet to accept it.
In retaliation, Congress has escalated its protests, placing posters at major intersections in Indore. These posters humorously call for the search for the missing minister and pledge a reward for his return. The party has committed to ongoing demonstrations until Shah resigns.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has established a Special Investigation Team to investigate the situation, with a report anticipated soon. The case continues to be a significant topic of political discourse, with tensions high as both factions await further updates.
On Friday, Shah made a comeback on various media channels via a video message, apologizing to the public and clarifying that his comments were a linguistic error involving inappropriate language. The state Chief Minister, Mohan Yadav, previously indicated that the BJP would act in accordance with the court's directives on the matter.